Small steps forward

Alpena girls tennis shows progress in loss to Trojans

April 30, 2013

The Alpena High School girls tennis team had a lot of positives to take away from it's match on Tuesday, even if the score didn't reflect it.

Traverse City Central bested the Wildcats 8-0 in a Big North Conference contest at Thunder Bay Junior High School

"They played really well. They're playing one of the best teams in the conference, but they played their game," Alpena coach Charlie Giordano said. "They weren't intimidated and we went a lot farther in matches than in years past."

Article Photos

News Photos by James AndersenAlpena’s Erin Wilson serves during her No. 1 singles tennis match against Traverse City Central’s Paige Cooley on Tuesday at Thunder Bay Junior High School.

News Photo by James AndersenAlpena’s Carlee Giordano returns a volley from Central’s Christi Druskovich during a No. 3 singles match.

In singles action for Alpena: Erin Wilson lost at No. 1 singles, 6-0 and 6-0; Katie Cook lost 6-1 and 6-1 and No. 2 singles; At No. 3 singles Carlee Giordano lost 0-1, 6-0 and 6-1; Sydney Heise lost at No. 4 singles 6-0 and 6-0.

In doubles action for Alpena: The No. 1 doubles team of Shaelyn Rondeau and Abbey Jackson lost 6-0 and 6-2; No. 2 doubles Ashley Smith and Abby Bowers lost 6-0 and 6-2; the No. 3 doubles team of Sarah Clements and Ellie Wedge lost 6-0 and 6-0 and the No. 4 doubles team of Chelsea Johnson and Alivia Bowers lost 6-1 and 6-0.

Tuesday's match marked one of the few times the Wildcats have been able to get outside due to April's rash of bad weather, but Giordano was pleased with what he saw.

"The score doesn't reflect it, but the girls played well. There were times (in the past) where we'd be done with eight matches by 5 p.m.," Giordano said.

Alpena returns to action on Monday at Cadillac.

James Andersen can be reached via email at sports@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5694. Follow James on Twitter @ja_alpenanews.